20 Inspirational Quotes for When You Feel Like Sh*t
There was a time in my life when my depression was so all-consuming that I couldn’t find much inside of myself to pull me into a positive headspace.
So I had to look outside of myself to start building a floor on rock bottom. Then, a staircase.
I remember looking for even the subtlest spark of joy or inspiration by Googling things like “inspirational quotes for when you are depressed.” I pinned quotes for self esteem and anxiety on Pinterest. I stacked one memoir on top of another on my nightstand.
At the time, this collecting of words to build myself back up served its exact purpose - to help me feel a little less like shit and a little more capable of steering my life away from the iceberg and toward a nice tropical beach, or at least somewhere sunnier than my current brainspace.
Quotes and affirmations got me through some serious rough patches when I felt like I had nothing to bring to the table.
As someone who suffered from panic attacks, this quote that I stumbled upon in a copy of my mom’s Reader’s Digest spoke to me: “Worry is pulling tomorrow’s clouds over today’s sunshine.”
Those few words helped me reframe my days and exhale the worry to push the clouds away from the potential sunshine underneath.
So whatever you are going through, whatever the state of your brainspace, I hope you find even an ounce of inspiration in this collection of quotes I’ve included for you here.
Best Inspirational Quotes
“You are afraid of surrender because you don’t want to lose control. But you never had control; all you had was anxiety.” - Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love
“We don’t have to wait until we are on our deathbed to realize what a waste of our precious lives it is to carry the belief that something is wrong with us.” - Tara Brach, author of Radical Acceptance
“Everyone on Earth is carrying around an unseen history, and that alone deserves some tolerance.” - Michelle Obama, author of Becoming.
“I was set free because my greatest fear had been realized, and I was still alive, and I still had a daughter whom I adored, and I had an old typewriter and a big idea. And so, rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” - JK Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series and The Casual Vacancy
“I’m a recovering perfectionist and an aspiring ‘good-enoughist’.” - Brene Brown, author of Daring Greatly and others
“If it’s out of your hands, it deserves freedom from your mind too.” - Ivan Nuru, author of Offering My Heart
“Don’t be afraid of the solitude that comes with raising your standards.” - Ebonee Davis
. “What’s the greatest lesson a woman should learn? That since day one, she’s already had everything she needs within herself. It’s the world that convinced her she did not.” Rupi Kaur, author of Home Body and others
“If it costs you your peace, it’s too expensive.” - Paulo Coelho
“Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome. Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s our greatest measure of courage.” Brene Brown, author of Braving the Wilderness and others
“Don’t take criticism from people you would never go to for advice.” - Unknown
“You will find that it is necessary to let things go; simply for the reason that they are heavy.” - C. Joybell C., author of Wolves of the Sapphire Sun and others
“You are not lazy, unmotivated, or stuck. After years of living in survival mode, you are exhausted. There’s a difference.” Nakeia Homer
“Maybe the journey isn’t so much about becoming anything. Maybe it’s about un-becoming everything that isn’t really you so you can become who you were meant to be in the first place.” - Paul Coelho
“They muddy the water to make it seem deep.” - Friedrich Nietzsche
“I understand now that I’m not a mess, but a deeply feeling person in a messy world. I explain that now, when someone asks me why I cry so often, I say “For the same reason I laugh so often - because I’m paying attention.” - Glennon Doyle, author of Untamed
“I am no longer available for things that make me feel like shit.” - Unknown
“It took me quite a long time to develop a voice and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent.” - Madeline Albright
“When your goal is to gain experience, perspective, and knowledge, failure is no longer a possibility.” Sophia Amoruso
“The path only emerges as you walk it.” - Emily Rose (it me!), author of Write it to Right it: The Guided Journal for Serious People with Scattered Brainthoughts
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And there you have it!
20 inspirational quotes to choose from when you are feeling stuck or just plain shitty.
Reading the words of others has always helped me feel a little more seen, a little more confident, and definitely a little less shitty.
If you have some favorite go-to quotes that help you feel unstuck, share them with us in the comments!
Yours in building myself up with words,
Emily Rose // Miss Magnolia
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Looking for more inspiration? Grab a guided journal for more uplifting words.
Half book, half journal, this paperback collection of stories and pointed questions is designed to help you dig deep and shake loose those "ah-ha's" that are buried within you. Because no matter how stuck or scattered you may feel, YOU have all the answers.
The WITRI Journal contains over 75 pages that aim to foster connection back to yourself and tackle complex brainthoughts like self doubt, imposter syndrome, and self acceptance.
Build yourself up by digging into your foundation with this incredible reflective read!
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